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Montecchio Cave, Semproniano, Grosseto Province, Tuscany, Italyi
Regional Level Types
Montecchio CaveCave
SempronianoCommune
Grosseto ProvinceProvince
TuscanyRegion
ItalyCountry

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
42° 42' 16'' North , 11° 30' 25'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
42.70472,11.50722
GRN:
N29E07
Type:
Cave
Köppen climate type:
Cfa : Humid subtropical climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Capanne101 (2014)3.7km
Semproniano487 (2014)3.9km
Saturnia292 (2014)4.2km
Poggio Murella287 (2014)4.8km
Catabbio203 (2014)4.9km
Mindat Locality ID:
266149
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:266149:3
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other Languages:
Italian:
Grotta di Montecchio, Semproniano, Provincia di Grosseto, Toscana, Italia


Montecchio cave opens at 320 m asl on the south slope of Poggio di Montecchio, in a small outcrop of Jurassic "Calcare Massiccio" (Lower Hettangian), close to the Albegna River. The cave is located in a territory rich in thermal waters, including the famous Saturnia thermal springs (situated 4 km to the south from the cave in the municipal territory of Manciano).

This cave, with a development of over 1700 m, is characterised by the presence of a thermal aquifer (temperature above 30°C and high sulphate content) at a depth of 100 m below the entrance. The cave hosts large gypsum deposits, starting from 40 m below the entrance, originated from the reaction between sulphuric acid and the carbonate hostrock. The lower part of the cave hosts calcite raft deposits over 1 m thick.

Samples of weathering products have been recently analysed (De Waele et al., 2013). Residual minerals (quartz, feldspar), some oxides and hydroxides (hematite, goethite, and böhmite), weathering silicate products (chlorite and illite) have been identified. The products of acid weathering are particularly interesting, like those derived from calcite (gypsum) and from clays (alunite, jarosite, and kaolinite).

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List


10 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Alunite
Formula: KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ Böhmite
Formula: AlO(OH)
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'
ⓘ Goethite
Formula: Fe3+O(OH)
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ Jarosite
Formula: KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ Kaolinite
Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite
Formula: K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ Quartz
Formula: SiO2
References:
De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘGoethite4.00.Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘQuartz4.DA.05SiO2
ⓘBöhmite4.FE.15AlO(OH)
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘAlunite7.BC.10KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘJarosite7.BC.10KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘGypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘMuscovite
var. Illite		9.EC.15K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘKaolinite9.ED.05Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Unclassified
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Feldspar Group'-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ BöhmiteAlO(OH)
Hⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Hⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Hⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CCarbon
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ BöhmiteAlO(OH)
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Oⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Oⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ QuartzSiO2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Alⓘ BöhmiteAlO(OH)
Alⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Alⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Siⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ QuartzSiO2
SSulfur
Sⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Sⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
KPotassium
Kⓘ AluniteKAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
Kⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Kⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
FeIron
Feⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate
EuropeContinent

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References

De Waele, J., Galli, E., Piccini, L., and Rossi, A. (2013) Descrizione morfologica e mineralogica della grotta ipogenica sulfurea di Montecchio (Grosseto, Toscana). In: Cucchi, F., and Gudi, P. (eds.), Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale di Speleologia “Diffusione delle conoscenze”, Sessione Attività di esplorazione e ricerca. Trieste 2-5 giugno 2011. Edizioni Università di Trieste, Trieste, 380-386.
Piccini, L., De Waele, J., Galli, E., Polyak, V.J., Bernasconi, S.M., and Asmeron, Y. (2015) Sulphuric acid speleogenesis and landscape evolution: Montecchio cave, Albegna river valley (Southern Tuscany, Italy). Geomorphology, 229, 134–143
D’Angeli, M.I., De Waele, J., Carbone, C., Parise, M., Madonia, G., and Vattano, M. (2017) Secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. In: Moore, K., White, S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Speleology, Sidney, NSW, Australia, July 22-28, 2017. Australian Speleological Federation Inc., Sideney, Vol.1, 237-241
D'Angeli, I. M., Carbone, C., Nagostinis, M., Parise, M., Vattano, M., Madonia, G., and De Waele, J. (2018) New insights on secondary minerals from Italian sulfuric acid caves. International Journal of Speleology, 47, 3, 271-291.
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